Overcoming Resistance

“The truly free individual is free only to the extent of his own self-mastery.”

Steven Pressfield, in his book, The WAR Of ART.

I turned 46 last year and I’m still getting to know myself. I’m still finding out why I do what I do, discovering my motivations, my desires. But I’m getting better at this.

The older I get, the better I get at Self-Awareness. But I don’t think you every really get there. I mean, does anyone completely understand themselves? I don’t think it would be a good thing anyway… it’d spoil my spontaneity, my unpredictability that my family and friends enjoy. And besides, it’s the journey not the destination that gets me off.

But awareness of what drives you, what thrills you, what motivates you every day to succeed, that’s where the money is. Knowing who you are in the moment, knowing yourself in the now, that’s the key to living congruently.

When your thoughts, actions and habits are all congruent to your ultimate end goal, kicking goals becomes almost effortless. On the other hand, if your thoughts, actions and habits are not in alignment, there will be resistance. It’s like peddling a bike uphill against the wind; sure you might get to the top, but it’s gonna take a lot of effort. For some, resistance means little detours on the road to success. For others, this resistance forms an unmoveable roadblock that stops forward motion dead in its tracks.

Here’s the first step to overcoming any resistance.

Be aware that often where there is resistance, there is in-congruency between what you say you want to do and what you actually do.

Many times, this manifests in procrastination.

It may surprise you that I am guilty of this sin; we all are. Sometimes the procrastination is good; my subconscious mind is telling me I’m not ready, that more preparation work needs doing. Other times, it’s my lazy-by-nature side of me rearing its ugly head; and it’s only through Self-Awareness that I can spot the difference between the two and take the appropriate action.

For many of us, fixing this resistance, fixing our in-congruencies, does not require therapy, does not require you strip naked and run around campfires at midnight while chanting songs of praise. It does not require you to join some movement where they break you down so you can start anew.

No.

There answer isn’t ‘out there’… it’s inside.

It requires thinking inwardly.

It requires a bit of peace and quiet from outside distractions so you can go inside and pinpoint the problem.

I work indirectly with hundreds of business owners and entrepreneurs and writers and work directly with dozens of `em. Most, if not all, have some kind of resistance.

For some, just a little.

For others, a whole damn lot.

So the trick to overcoming resistance and procrastination comes down to knowing yourself.

To be truly free and successful you must master yourself. This means you must be honest with yourself. Don’t bullshit yourself. You have strengths, you have weaknesses. It comes down to being aware of who you are.

For me, I know what sidetracks me, I know when my most productive times are, I know where I should be spending my time to maximise my skills and earnings. So I keep a close eye on these things and take action every time I steer a bit off course.

It’s a daily battle; one that has to be fought anew each day.

Sure sometimes I falter and stray off course and the work doesn’t get done.

But most times I succeed.

Because I’m aware.

I’m on guard.

And I know this important point…

Self-discipline isn’t possible without self-honesty.

Cheers, Pete

P.S. Next week, I’ll give you my take on staying focused. You’ll discover a few unpleasant truths about the world we live… but more importantly, you’ll see how to stay sane, stay focused, and make more money. Until then, love to hear your comments about this week’s post above.

Pete Godfrey, The Wizard of Words, from rebel without a clue to one of the most in demand and highest paid Copywriters and Sales Strategists in Australasia… all with the power of his emotionally charged words that sell… Discover the “Secret Weapon” to increasing your Sales and Profits by downloading the valuable report "The Ultimate Copywriting and Marketing Secret" While you're at it, follow Pete on Facebook

Thanks Pete
I’m sitting reading your blog while I am having a pedicure … Because I just couldn’t get focused or motivated today, something to think about whilst I stareat the newly painted digits
Debra

With prospects and clients just getting back into the sway of things, I guess the introspection helps. Better than moping around wondering when clients will start to get serious about their marketing for 2012.

Hey Gary, when you’re doing this part time, you have to be even more focused mate… and when you get that spare hour to work, then you work. You don’t check emails, answer phone, get interupted, but put in a full hour’s worth of concentrated work. The trick is to clear your mind…and focus only on the job at hand. Sounds easy, but it’s not, at least it wasn’t for me. But over the years I’ve got better and it’s now a habit…